Ryogoku Kokugikan

両国国技館

4.4Est. 210Tokyo, Kanto

The arena's energy peaks in late afternoon as the top-ranked makuuchi division takes the ring. Lower-level masu-seki box seats are close enough to hear the physical collisions. For a quieter ritual, position yourself at the east entrance on tournament mornings to see wrestlers arriving in formal kimono.

Local tips

On tournament mornings, the area around the east entrance is where you will see top wrestlers arriving in formal kimono. The free Sumo Museum inside the venue is open on non-tournament days and rotates exhibits of ceremonial aprons, woodblock prints, and ranking charts. For chanko nabe after, Chanko Kawasaki and Chanko Tomoegata are both run by former wrestlers and serve the real thing.

Practical info

Japanese name: 両国国技館
Nearest station: Ryogoku Station (2 min walk)
Payment: Cards accepted
Reservations: Advance tickets go on sale about one month before each tournament through the official Japan Sumo Association site (in Japanese) or convenience store kiosks (Lawson Loppi, 7-Eleven). Tokyo tournaments are the hardest to get. Box seats often sell out within hours. English-friendly reseller sites exist at a markup. Same-day general admission (jiyuseki) tickets are sold at the venue box office from around 8:00 AM for about 2,000 yen, first come first served. For January and September, arrive by 6:30 AM. May is slightly easier.

Accessibility

Wheelchair entranceWheelchair parkingWheelchair restroom

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